A pleasant hotel experience is due to many factors. By counting them, we often forget the people who contribute most to it – the ones behind the scenes in sustainable hotelsk. Without cleaning staff, house technicians, and kitchen helpers, guests would not feel comfortable.
Unfortunately, the international hotel industry is overall known to be an exploitative and poorly paying employer. Not so at the Green Pearls Hotels: treating employees with respect is part of ​​sustainability. And (not) surprisingly: Many times, these backstage workers are responsible for the magical atmosphere by offering their talents – such as talking to the plants.
Clean and Fair
If you are looking for a job in Germany, you can immediately get hired as a housekeeper. As the job offers show, there is always a free spot available. The reason: no one can stand it! With the minutes precisely scheduled, chores have to be done under stress. Beds tidied, toilets scrubbed, fittings polished – and for all this, you hardly get more money than welfare. The management is well aware of the problem, but only a few opt for change.
Customer reviews add more weight to housekeeping
While customer reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor or Booking.com are becoming more important, many hotels realize how significant the staff is to the guests. In the Biohotel Sturm it is said: “At least half of our positive ratings trace back to our employees.” Another positive trend: Cleanliness and hygiene are appreciated more after the pandemic.
At Leni Mountain, the owners cleaned the apartment building themselves for the first summer seasons. “That’s why I know from my own experience how exhausting this job is,” says Marco Arnold.
At the Bella Vista Hotel in Zermatt, Switzerland, everyone feels responsible for all areas as a team – as part of the workflow concept, no one should stay alone in the back. The cleaner prepares breakfast, the receptionist occasionally drives guests to the train station and the chauffeur takes care of the garden.
Sustainable employee management includes safety. Chemicals in cleaning utensils can lead to skin irritation or worse. The Weihrerhof, therefore, decided not to use chemical cleaners and works with micro-steam cleaners only. This has the added benefit of being physically easier.
If you want to learn more about hotel cleaning in sustainable hotels, check out this Backstage article.
The heroes behind the scenes in sustainable hotels
True allrounders – hotel caretakers and house technicians
“In a building as large as Hotel Das RĂĽbezahl there is always something to do”, says Thomas Knote. “And if not, then the boss will think of something.” Together with two other caretaker colleagues, he checks the entire hotel-system at 9 a.m. every morning. Any error messages? Heating, ventilation system, pool water, sauna, lighting system – if everything runs smoothly, the team is ready by 10 a.m. to continue with other tasks, such as customer service appointments or building a new fireplace for the wellness garden.
Kitchen staff – More hotels are bringing it to the fore
Since the ratings made it clear that guests appreciate an exchange with the staff, more and more hotels are developing open kitchen concepts. The Lifestylehotel SAND on the Baltic Sea has recently introduced a 4-person breakfast chef team to the guests. “Everyone has a passion: Bakery, nutritional science, creative decoration, hearty delicacies,” says Marion Muller. The Biohotel Sturm has also been relying on an open kitchen for some time and enjoys the direct exchange between chefs and guests.
In the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, the dishwasher Mr. Taheri is called “Stewarding Magician”. He not only scrubs the plates sparkling clean, but supports the chefs and the entire service team with his positive work attitude.
Employees are allowed to use the hotel-luxuries
It is essential to the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA that the employees feel comfortable. Therefore, it makes the luxury-services of the hotel available to them. Employees can visit the selfness leader and resilience trainer Ms. Himmel once a month – for a sound-massage, yoga, meditation or supervision. In addition, there is a free massage for employees once a quarter. The buffet for the employees consists of the same organically qualified ingredients that the guests enjoy.
Of plants and gardeners – The figureheads of green hotels
What would a green hotel be without greenery? Many studies show, people feel particular comfortable in a natural environment. These include wood, stones, water and – plants. In the sustainable Green Pearls Hotels you will find only living green. Great for climate and soul.
Architecture in harmony with the environment
Garden maintenance plays a key-role in the Adler Spa Resorts & Lodges. Martin Messner is in charge of all the gardens at the Adler Resorts. The most recent project was the design of the Adler Lodge RITTEN in Italy. Here “it was important to adapt the architecture to the hillside location. (That meant) Planting hundreds of trees without stealing the spectacular mountain view.” A majestic linden tree greets guests directly in the entrance area. Martin brought the tree with its own soil on a large trailer. “Now it welcomes the guests, who should feel truly comfortable from the first moment they enter the natural ambience.”
By the way: Since 2022 a large organic farm garden belongs to ADLER Lodge RITTEN. You can learn more about it in this article.
Flower whisperers in Croatia and Austria
At the Dreamers Club in Croatia, gardener Natalia loves plants. The secret of the “Flower Whisperer” is that she talks to the plants and herbs. The Dreamers Club believes this to be the reason, that the flowers are in full bloom.
Such a pearl with green thumbs also works in the Austrian Naturhotel Outside. The longstanding service employee Irma always delights the guests with floral decorations. “Sometimes she brings wildflowers from the surrounding meadows, sometimes plants from her garden, or even the silver coins along our waters.”
Appreciation from you
One of the most important lessons we can learn from sustainable hotels: Whoever gives – gets something in return. Employees who feel comfortable at work can develop their skills, which benefits the guests. You as a guest can contribute significantly to the fact that the management appreciates the work of all employees. Note: praise motivates much more than criticism. A word of appreciation or a tip at the end of your stay also is a great way to show, that you value their work!
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